Andreil - Blog Posts

Somehow I always end up with drawing them staring at each other (Aaron is the person sitting between them, suffering as always - bro needs to get paid for going through this daily)

Is there ao3 with this vibe?!

🦇AFTGTOBER 2024 🎃

Day 8-10 🧡 The nest

an average day with andreil on your team ❤️ being late but still posting my drawings 😎 i struggled with the lighting and neils face in this one but i guess it turned out okay.

I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Andrew used knives and cigarettes to cope

Only for Neil to be torn apart by a couple knives and a cigarette lighter.

"if andreil ever broke up-" they wouldn't. not in canon. not in this universe. never. like i get it. i like angst. but they wouldn't break up. never in this universe. nora herself says "they will never leave each other because they are nothing without each other". THEY ARE NOTHING WITHOUT EACH OTHER.

Didn’t realize how badly i needed a skateboard AU until now. Someone with writing talents please do this!

Say yes

I’m so fcng wanna some skate AU

Some chibies🤲🏼🤩

nathaniel, neil, nathaniel, neil. andrew flips the two names around in his head like tossing a coin. heads or tails, the coin always comes up abram. nathaniel and neil are two sides of the same coin; forged in a dark basement, in musty hotel rooms, on the exy court. both hate sweets, love to run, to talk back any chance they get.

some days, the coin lands on nathaniel. jack makes one too many comments at practice and neil - no, nathaniel - has him on the ground, raquet to his neck in an instant. he can't hear what the strikers are saying but through the grate of the helment, andrew sees nathaniel's smile.

others, it lands on neil. andrew finds neil and matt splayed out on the couch, three movies deep into a "pop culture lesson". neil motions for andrew to sit and absently cards his fingers through the blond's hair. matt hides his grin in his sleeve.

but abram; he runs to andrew after each winning game to tap sticks, he sits each friday in columbia, talking about escape routes for an alien invasion, he keeps ice cream in the freezer and cigarettes in his backpocket.

heads or tails, doe or minyard, doe or minyard.

doe was made and unmade in california. 13 homes, 13 film reels constantly playing in the back of his mind, each scene driving the cuts deeper and deeper. andrew doe learns the danger of wanting and vows to keep everyone out.

minyard went to juvie for his brother. he crashed the car to keep him safe. he spent years on medication that sent him up up up to protect his cousin. minyard guards himself with knives sharper than his glare; he protects those that are his and fuck anyone else.

heads or tails, the coin starts to come up drew.

it starts small; quick grins in columbia at neil; shared dinners with aaron that don't end in a fight; something like excitment in his stomach before an exy game. when neil is hanging out with the upperclassman, he stays.

heads or tails; the coin lands on growth

So I just wanted to post my headcanon of how andreil looks to me and the vibes if anyone is interested <3

(If you disagree totally okay)

If you want to know:

- I headcanon Neil to be Egyptian and Andrew Japanese.

- Neil loveeeees oranges and on the run he and his mom always bought them on the side of the road.

- I also think Andrew would get those kind of tattoos .

- I also think Neil has like a light brown skin tone.

An interesting scene in tkm to me is when Neil dismisses Kevin on the bus to Binghamton.

It's the middle of the bus ride, and he's trying to decide where to sit after their rest stop as Kevin talks to them all about the stats of the team they're on their way to play. As he's making that decision it says he "felt trapped, stuck between what he wanted and what he needed, what he'd never have or be and what he had but couldn't keep."

The former of both oscillations, in my opinion, is referring to Andrew and what he feels with and for him and the team in general, and the latter are referring to exy and what Kevin could bring him to in this season and in the future as a pro.

Ultimately, he chooses Andrew, but in doing so Kevin reacts by telling him to stay and listen and "Remember that you gave me your game." Neil responds to this by saying that Kevin has given up on the team and "I'm taking my game back. I don't owe you anything."

This is Neil ending his deal with Kevin to keep playing despite knowing what is coming for him, right before he goes to do the same with Andrew.

The differences between these cutting of deals is compelling to me.

With Kevin it is more implicit in the "I'm taking my game back." In Kevin's anger and exasperation at Neil's "spoiled child" act, I don't think he recognizes what Neil is doing and meaning by ending their deal. It's not just 'Kevin gave up, so I don't owe him anything', it's Neil letting go of his ties as he prepares for what the "0" on his phone will bring.

Andrew, I believe, does recognize this. Neil ending their deal, framing it as "Let me learn to fight for myself." It is him once again cutting ties, but also releasing any blame for what is about to happen to him, especially since Andrew is very serious about his promises and so needs to be explicitly released from them if ever. Andrew doesn't know that the countdown has ended, or that there was one to begin with, but he can see that something has shifted for Neil in him asking for this. Just as he sees after their game from "the strain in Neil's mask." and the "Thank you. You were amazing."

Neil knew something was coming that day, what and when he wasn't certain, but the "0" was demonstrative enough. I think the way he ended those two deals displays a lot of his emotions towards those two things he valued.

He needed exy, but had already released the idea of keeping it. So he dismissed Kevin and anything he owed him in relation to their gameplay, still ending their deal but in a way that speaks of having understood when he started that it wasn't something that would last. He wanted safety and comfort and love, but didn't believe he'd ever have that life or be that person. So he asks Andrew to let him go, showing that he understands how Andrew works with deals, that he values him enough to end it before it's ended for them, and that their 'this' isn't something he expected to happen or knows how to want or be. Both are endings of deals, both are releases of blame, and both display to the recipients that something has changed for Neil, whether or not they recognize it.

But he chose to go to the back of the bus and to ask, he chose Andrew, even if it was only for whatever time he had left before the result of that "0".

how many of us think that the Butcher's trial/case, and Neil and Jean's involvement in it, will be an event that plays a large role in the plot of the next book?

i didn't really think of it too seriously during tsc just because these books are about Jean and Jeremy, not Neil who is obviously the primary witness/corroborator for the case. but now with tgr, there have been multiple instances of the fbi and Neil himself bringing Jean further into the case as well. such as with Neil and Stuart ensuring the fbi's discovery of the Moreau's connection to the Butcher at the end of tsc, the subsequent arrest of Jean's parents in tgr, and of course the fbi stepping in to provide housing to Jean, Laila, and Cat when their house burns down, specifically outlined as being done to protect (and bribe/monitor?) a witness in said case until the trial ends.

in the discussion about the housing with Browning and Owens, they imply that the trial should be finished within the school year. so obviously it'll be happening at the very least in the background like we saw with Aaron's trial, but given these examples of Jean's perceived importance to the case by the fbi, i think it's likely that his involvement will play a larger role than i originally thought in the plot of the next book. (books? i'm still convinced there's too much to cover in only one more book, especially if this ends up being a part of it)

how he is involved, however, i'm wondering if will be different than we or even Jean is thinking. he specifically says to the agents in the housing discussion that he has provided them with the little amount of information he has and knows nothing else of worth for this case. and that's true... except for the exclusion of his knowledge on the Moriyamas. Browning's response to Jean stating that he was of no more use to them was “i guess we'll see”. i have a niggling suspicion that the fbi might be starting to look further than face value into either the potentially (though we know it's certain) extensive violence and abuse (and murder) that occurred in Evermore, or maybe even considering a connection between the Butcher and the Moriyamas and/or the Ravens given the concern brought up by Neil in tsc over why his appearance changed after going to the Nest in trk and Jean's early induction into the Ravens now that the fbi believes his family was working with the Butcher. or both given that one leads to the other.

i don't think this line of questioning will go far, considering how little it seems the fbi knows about the Moriyamas true business and the fact that we know that Neil, Jean, and Kevin continue to play exy in contract with Ichirou well into the future, but i wonder if this will become the primary issue in Jean's involvement in the trial with him having to validate his connection and knowledge about the Butcher and Neil without revealing anything about the Moriyamas, as we have already seen him having to censor himself about during the discussion with the agents.

and finally, if all of this comes to be true, i wonder if Jean's concern (likely terror) at being involved in this trial due to the Moriyamas and the complications that inevitably arise because of that, becomes how his contract and the real Moriyama business gets revealed to Jeremy, at the very least, but likely (hopefully) Cat and Laila as well... because as we know, where Jean goes those three follow and Jean will choose them right back.

I'm not sure if Nora has discussed the answer to this before, but which birthday does Neil use after his identity is made legal? Which one did the fbi put on his new ID and passport and stuff?

I recall that in the extra content Nora responded to an ask related to this saying that the 'crazy' party Dan wanted to do for him did end up happening in March, but in another she also explained how Neil doesn't really like large gatherings or celebrating things like anniversaries. That party doesn't necessarily designate that as the date he chose or that he celebrates at all, maybe just that the team wanted to plan something for him and that was the day that worked best in the timeline of the aftermath of tkm.

I've seen people post a happy birthday thing for him on both January 19th and March 31st, so it seems as a fandom we consider both accurate, but I wonder which one Neil chose... something to ponder.

guys the brainrot has manifested 😳😏🫢

when in doubt, read fanfiction. when not in doubt, read fanfiction. honestly just read fanfiction it's the best.

i personally think that even more significant than andrew letting neil touch him, is andrew touching neil.

we're in neil's pov so we obviously mostly see how andrew interacts with him, but andrew is very straightforward with his boundaries and very touch averse with everyone. most if not all instances of andrew touching other people are done out of violence or necessity, but from the beginning he touches neil voluntarily. bringing him down to his level, pulling him into his space, inspecting him, directing his attention, forcing neil back to himself, and eventually, out of affection and lust.

it's the touch before the first kiss that stands out the most to me though. maybe initially he's mostly scouting neil out for potential problems, but still. a man who trusts almost no one, who keeps everyone even his family at an arms length physically and emotionally, who portrays himself as completely apathetic even while drugged, who claims to want nothing, who has had touch used abusively against him for much of his life, purposefully initiates touching neil.

to me it shows even more his intentions and emotions, and attraction/interest, towards neil because he consistently chooses it himself, when he has chosen almost nothing solely for himself his entire life.

"this is nothing" pshh, right.

makes me heart wrenchingly giggly every time.

andreil :

if you want you can bite me and i won't move

you won't lose me to thunder or lightning, but you could to crowded rooms

if you love me, keep it to yourself

*screams*

there's just something about fantasy/sci fi romance that no other ships can compare to. the desperation to stay together, to stay alive. the stakes and trials they get put through. the depth the relationships get to to survive and to hold on to life and sanity, and to each other. the connection they get from going through so much individually and together. incomparable. often depressing, but absolutely incomparable.

i think an andreil "eternal sunshine of the spotless mind" au would be incredible...PLS PLS PLS

if aftg was set a bit later in the 2010s, i can imagine andrew putting "pumped up kicks" as neil's ringtone...the irony would just be too good to pass up

where's the andreil brokeback mountain au i need one

just need to say that runner by alex g is so andreil coded it's crazy

"i like ppl who i can open up to, who don't judge for what i say but judge me for what i do"

"i laugh when you say the wrong thing, mouthing off to everybody else but you"

"yeah i have done a couple bad things (load it up, know your trigger like the back of my hand)"

I can't stop thinking about Andrew and Neil's path from fears and insecure feelings to the sincere shine of love in the eyes and trusting touches.

Imagine the development of their relationship like days spent on the roof. Minutes of smoldering cigarettes in cold palms and empty glances first; seconds of warm kisses on the lips and a smile illuminated by sunset colors then.

The road from meters between beaten bodies on cold concrete, to millimeters in the desired touches, which are now given by safety.

The most severe sunsets, overshadowed by pain and new scars, but still nearby. Another doubts and the inevitably approaching horrors of the past, but together.

Together — in the general smoke of cigarettes and changing weather.

Andrew and Neil learn humility and find peace in gusts of wind changing by the sun's rays. Allow caring amber nastures, smoothed by the enthusiasm of clear skies, to come to life.

Over time it becomes quite safe.

Warm, when Neil smoothes the knuckles of Andrew's brushes, distracting himself from watching another melodrama on movie nights. Touching the delicate skin is knocked on the heart, smoothing scratches and bruises before Minyard connects their palms into a lock, not breaking away to the very credits.

Cute, when they play with their paws, imperceptibly for others, alternately covering each other's socks under the table, relaxed listening to the conversations of the Foxes nearby.

Grateful, when Andrew lowers one palm from the steering wheel to the armrest, feeling Neil's nervous breath nearby, allowing him to gently draw patterns on his skin and asking to concentrate on caring touches and the living road ahead.

Confused, when they sit in the locker room, awkwardly touching their little fingers, hiding their palms behind the bench and losing the thread of the coach's monologue. The corners of the lips are led by a modest smile, and Neil fitters on the spot when Andrew slowly circles the line of his hands.

Relatives, when one demandingly touches the palm of the other's forehead, seriously measuring the temperature, noticing the red eyes and nose of his beloved. With excitement, stroking hot skin, putting it to bed under disgruntled grumbling.

In love, when Andrew, gently touching the tips of his pinkish ears, covers Neil's cheek, warmly lulling with his native gaze. The guy blinks in love, sticks his nose, pressing against his warm palm, and sighs very quietly, falling asleep with amber reflections in his memory.

Beloved, when they warm their hands frozen from the frost in a single breath, returning tactibility in each other's native touches.

Intimate, when Neil weaves his palms into Andrew's soft hair for careful kisses, sending impatient goosebumps on his skin. Seizing all disturbing thoughts with sensitive touches.

Over time it becomes too necessary.

just thinking that for Andrew and Neil sunsets and dawns are an infinitely significant thing. a symbol that over time has become something important for both of them. they feel and appreciate it without needing any designation.

these are their sunsets and their dawns of feelings. It is a reflection of the passing rays in the beloved eyes and the brilliance of hope in the twilight.

these are burning sun touches on the moon skin and star scattering of freckles interspersed with scars.

it's peaceful minutes until late at night and calm silence until early in the morning. It's just their seconds when the world around freezes and it doesn't matter. where their new chance begins and the pain ends.

together. from common sunsets to common sunrises — forever.

i need aftg as a mockumentary more than anything. imagine the confessionals after neil says or does anything. the amount times andrew would just look directly at the camera.

pray for aaron minyard he's not dead but finding out your seemingly feelingless stone cold hearted brother is dating the bitch you hate the most must be soo devastating like out of everyone?? you chose HIM?

nora saying that if aaron and katelyn have time off from work they'll probably go visit andrew and neil for christmas is my roman empire i think about it all the time

this kills me because it implies that andrew and neil had something to say too

deleting all the dating apps so i can find love the old fashioned way (i join a sports team made out of misfits with the purpose of giving them a second and third and fifth chance and the goalie and the striker are kind of intense but i end up promising the goalie to keep the striker here if he protects me from the literal mafia and i join their group that's referred to as the monsters by the rest of the team and the goalie gives me keys and truths and cigarettes and he says the thing between us is nothing and that he hates me but i know that the simple fact that he even bothers to express these things means something because he's usually so apathetic but sometimes he shows feelings to me and he trusts me and i trust him and the thing between us is not nothing even if he claims he wants to kill me most of the time)

let's talk about how kevin and andrew's love languages are gift giving. kevin, going on his trips outside of the nest and buying little souvenirs for jean, taking neil to get his first heavy racquet, andrew buying little figurines for betsy, giving neil his keys, buying neil his outfits, buying neil his armbands...